On this Monday’s Agenda:
Cambridge City Council to Propose 3-Year Appointment of Richard Rossi as City Manager

O-6 Dec 3, 2012
COUNCILLOR MAHER
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
COUNCILLOR REEVES
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
MAYOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: City Manager Robert W. Healy has notified the City Council of his intent to retire as of June 30, 2012 after 32 years in that position; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge’s current executive leadership team led by Mr. Healy and Mr. Rossi has one of the longest tenures of any municipal leadership team not only in the Commonwealth but in the nation; and
WHEREAS: The City Council has committed to conducting an in depth "community visioning and engagement" process at this important juncture and prior to commencing a formal executive search; and
WHEREAS: The City Council would like to ensure that during these fiscally challenging and uncertain times Cambridge will continue to thrive and provide new opportunities; and
WHEREAS: The City Council would like to make this leadership transition as seamless as possible for residents, the business community and city staff; and
WHEREAS: Planning for the 2014 fiscal budget is fast approaching with initial meetings scheduled to begin on Dec 5, 2012; and
WHEREAS: The City will benefit from proven leadership, talent and experience as the City is currently in the process of a number of major initiatives including planning studies in Central and Kendall Squares and an aggressive capital improvement plan to rebuild several schools; now therefore be itORDERED: That the City Council hereby appoint Richard C. Rossi as City Manager of the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts beginning on July 1, 2013 for a period of three years ending on June 30, 2016; and be it further
ORDERED: That City Manager Robert W. Healy work collaboratively with Mr. Rossi in the development of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, a budget that Mr. Rossi will ultimately be charged with administering; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council continue its work to develop a comprehensive "community visioning and engagement" process; and be it further
ORDERED: That a contract which sets forth, inter alia, the provisions specified above, shall be provided by the Chair of the Government Operations and Rules Committee to the City Council for approval no later than Jan 7, 2013.

I have not been able to attend the various meetings regarding the process of selecting a new City Manager although I had received an email outlining the process.

At this significant juncture could you provide details of Mr. Rossi’s professional experience, highlighting the reasons why he has been selected as the best candidate to receive this 3 year contract?

Will this appointment in any way affect the former outline regarding the widespread, thorough, in depth search for the most qualified candidate for this extremely crucial position in the city of Cambridge?

Am I correct in concluding that this 3 year contract is being proposed as the best way to cover the period of time it could take to complete a more comprehensive search?

I ask you to please provide an updated and detailed description of the steps for a continuing widespread search for the position of City Manager.

At least 6 City Councillors, outside of a legally advertised meeting of their body, discuss among themselves the most important issue a City Council can discuss, and propose to appoint a new City Manager. The formal vote at Monday’s meeting will just be an affirmation of something which has already been discussed and decided.

I believe in the Open Meeting Law, and I expect that public bodies discuss and decide in public. This is wrong, very wrong. And it’s too bad that the term of the new City Manager has to begin this way.